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We encourage free speech and defend everyone's right to express unpopular points of view. But we don't permit hate speech (speech which attacks or demeans a group based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, and sexual orientation/gender identity).The day after the video was removed, I received a message from a Youtuber saying in part:
Awww looks like they removed your pedophilia video!! That mighta been cuz I flagged it!! Your head is too far in the logic of this dark satanic world, even the light of your supposed religion is only in your mind. God has no religion, Yeheshua means "Messiah" YHShVH - we are all to become YHVH YAHWEH + Sh Shin Holy Spirit, to become Messiahs of ourselves, nobody will save you.We must understand that the opposition we encounter in the world for work God is doing through us is not about us at all; it is always about Jesus Christ. Now sometimes we are just so fleshly and carnal that we create our own messes. However, when the Lord is working, it can bring about antagonism on your job, alienation from your family, animosity at your school, etc. His mere presence disrupts any "community" that is not established in Him.
There is a separation from the world which occurs all by itself as we walk in Christ because we bear about the sweet savour of Him. To those who are saved, this is the fragrance of life; to those who are perishing, it is the fragrance of death (II Corinthians 2:15-16). Do not be deceived and thereby offended thinking such conflict is somehow about you.
People often comment that they are surprised my videos have remained hosted by Youtube as long as they have. My response has been that they will be around as long as God wills. When He is through using them, they can go to dust. And such is really the topic of this post.
The internet has served as a great tool to help publish the Gospel around the world. You can search the world wide web and find info on almost any topic including songs, sermons, articles, books, etc. However, it has also been a disservice in some ways, creating a culture of "pop-preaching".Preaching the Gospel has become about posting an on-line article or sermon. Fellowship has become sharing a blurb on Facebook or on message boards. I am not saying that such tools have not been useful, but they often create a sanitized, superficial, comfortable, and impersonal type of interaction that misses the essence of soul-winning. I believe that God is stripping these things back so that we will focus on the old pathways: pouring out of ourselves through personal evangelism and discipleship.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:13-15
The "feet" of preachers are beautiful because it illustrates us going out to reach those who are lost. We must be sent, for how else will they hear? Preachers are not people standing behind pulpits in some building. Church fellowship is not the primary source of evangelism because the assembly of the saints is for the edification and exhortation of the saints.
When Philip met the Ethiopian who desired to understand God's word, Philip didn't say, "Let me bring you to the assembly." He preached Jesus to the man right then and there. Each and every Christian is called to be a witness, to proclaim the Good News, to bear about the testimony of Christ, and to DO the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). Do you know your calling? How is God using you to minister to His people?
Jesus poured out His soul unto death to save those who were lost, and our testimony as Christians must be just that personal. How much are we willing to invest of ourselves (and divest from ourselves) in order to preach this Good News? Let's not let the convenience of technology lull us away from the zeal and on-going personal commitment needed to represent Christ, for what happens when those avenues are no longer available?
Even now Congress is working on approving legislation which would allow the government to shut down private sector access to the internet when deemed necessary. This past Friday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced to its employees that it will start blocking access to certain websites, including those sites with "Controversial opinions".
A world "community" is being formed as the kings of the earth give their power over to the beast (Revelation 17:12-13, 17). If you stand with Christ then you are automatically an outsider to that community. You are the one violating the "community guidelines" by stating that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. You are the ones with the "controversial opinions" claiming that God's word is the standard of truth. You are the ones causing trouble with a message to forsake this world and seek the Kingdom of Heaven. And you will be the ones targeted for silence.
Some will say, "Let's fight for our right to free speech! This is after all America!".
Instead, I say, "Get prepared spiritually to engage in the fight and be used by Him to reach people around you - right where you are."
Many of us have created a network of virtual friends and acquaintances, and thank God for that fellowship! However, our standing for Christ will often result in us standing alone with Christ. There will not be a host of emoticon smileys, "Like" votes, "hearts" and "Amens" to show support. We may not have an Internet search handy whereby we can quickly check out the Scriptures in order to answer questions. We will not be able to just turn off the person in need standing before us like we shut down a computer. We will need to be living testimonies with the law of God written in our hearts and His very Spirit within. Will we be able to stand and represent the Gospel to the lost under such circumstances? When there is more at stake than some of our computer time, are we willing to disciple others in the faith? Let's use these things while we can, but be ever ready and available to have our feet be sent as personal witnesses to His glory.
May we each be built up in the inner man to be prepared for the days to come and to win souls with power.
"...he that winneth souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30b
Awesome post! This is definitely not for the faint of heart! We must be willing to stand for God ant not bow down to baal! Amen!
ReplyDeleteI was just praying/thinking about how the problem in all church fellowships is that people have been bound to church services and not prepared to bring in the harvest. Brainwashed by Satan to believe that "someone" else is responsible for reaching the lost. What a delusion. The internet is useful to a degree, but as you have said only personal interaction can reach the lost. It's time to stop writing posts and get to the lost sheep. We have a church without walls in place every Sunday evening for those of you that can not find fellowship where you are. A new message is available every Sunday at www.omegaministry.org. This is only a starting point until we can establish local fellowships around the country and the world through a grassroots outreach. This has gone far enough, it's time to move out and see what the Lord is able to do through committed believers that "love not their lives unto death". Peace to all the saints!!
ReplyDeleteYes, well, unfortunately, Google likes to filter through stuff and decide at will what o block and what to show the people at large.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed that I had written what you could call a complaint about Vodafone's customer service on my blog and they made it disappear from search in my blog.
In the meanwhile all kinds of other rubbish is allowed to be seen. Fact is Google is very selective of what they like to show to the general public at large.
If you fall in line with all the other sheep then you are popular, if you have a slightly varying opinion, then your stuff may just disappear. Kind of annoying really.
Besides, people should be allowed to say what they have to say. We are not clones of each other yet. We have varying opinions on just about everything, and we don't all have to agree with each other. It's known as DIVERSITY.
It is instances like this when you know that all the equlaity and diversity rubbish is just all cheap talk.
Concentrating on the POSITIVES of blurbs on facebook, messages on message boards, Christian blogs, online articles, sermons or videos that are scripturally intact/correct, inquisitive souls can be won!!!! We should not be too dismissive of those who use the internet as a medium to explore Christianity, what it entails, locate where their nearest church is etc, etc. I guess the danger is the accuracy or inaccuracy of the message being put forward. But hey, this danger is also present in churches spouting the wrong kind of doctrine, and let’s face it, there are innumerable churches that fall into this category.
ReplyDeleteI acknowledge that as Christians (whether new or deep-rooted), we are to MAINTAIN FELLOWSHIP with one another. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25). For those of us blessed with the ability and discernment to meet up in a church that teaches God’s word intact – nothing added, nothing taken away. Brilliant! But we must always remember that not everyone can make it to church. Persecuted Christians in Muslim states as well as housebound Christians are a few examples of those who cannot. Therefore, the “sanitized, superficial, comfortable, and impersonal” interaction of the internet might be their only option. As such, it can become a very real soul winner and edifying to individuals who meet up online, which in turn is glorifying to God.
Regarding your comment on the “comfortable, and impersonal type of interaction that misses the essence of soul-winning”, I beg to differ. An established Christian can use the internet to challenge wrong doctrine, win souls by creating scripturally correct blogs, online sermons, or blurbs on facebook that engage in soul winning or directing won souls to the next step of attending a church or growth group where God’s message is correctly.
Speaking from personal experience, the Latter Days blog in particular, helped me to make sense of the hordes of scripturally inaccurate messages cluttering the internet. In equal merit, my participation as well as contribution to posting an article or blurb on facebook, listening to online sermons, reading blogs and fellowshipping with Christians across an international spectrum on facebook etc, etc, has enhanced my Christian walk – not diluted it! “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17).
Facebook, in particular, has enabled me to share my testimony and receive likewise, answer questions on my faith on a one to one basis, and guide a won soul onto to the next step of their journey as they move towards Christ.
I guess the main thrust of my argument is this..... God can use ANY medium to win souls. Fellowship and evangelising are important facets to our Christian walk. However, we are limiting God’s power if we constrain these two facets to pathways of old. The radio, internet, Christian literature etc, etc, are sometimes the only option available for housebound or persecuted Christians or for those wanting to know Christ. It can also be a healthy medium (with good discernment) to compliment growing as well as established Christians – whether they attend church or are part of a Christian growth group.
Hello Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI believe that you have missed the gist of the post.
It would be rather silly for me to be "dismissive" about those who use the Internet...when I use the Internet. Neither have I said that there is absolutely no value in such things...again, since I am using this medium.
This article is not about maintaining fellowship or strengthening the Christian walk. It is about going out and preaching the Gospel to the lost. It is acknowledging that there is more to soul-winning and discipleship than can often be lived out in a virtual experience. It is about understanding that as these technologies become more compromised, we will need to be prepared to follow the original pattern of the Great Commission, which is going out and preaching the Kingdom (if we are not already).
We don't have to constrain God's options. He will use what He wills. However, let's not fall into a false sense of security thinking that participating in a virtual world means we are prepared for dealing with people in the real world. The Internet affords a certain distance and anonymity that is simply not present in direct interactions with people.
A person might be really bold typing on the Internet, and yet at the same time feel uneasy saying the same things in person.
What happens when the preaching of the Gospel becomes personal? Are people prepared to deal with that?
A FB friend recently told of being convicted by the Holy Spirit in walking past a group preaching falsely in NYC. The Holy Spirit used her to speak up at that time to those who had been listening and share the truths of the Gospel. The entire time, the false group ridiculed, mocked, and condemned her; even making threatening moves as if they would physically hit her. Yet she remained focused on the Lord as she shared her own testimony in order to win souls.
Can we stand up and still confess Christ boldly when we are faced with such direct and personal opposition? If we think that being vocal on the Internet prepares us to stand in such instances, I fear we are mistaken.
In a large sense, what has happened in the "church" is only mirrored by what is happening on the Internet. We cannot sit around in our little fellowships (virtual or not) and believe that this is the totality of the Christian experience...or obligation. It is not.
Being a believer in Christ is not about attending church, but being the church and doing the works of the ministry.
I pray that we all come into a true realization of what we are called to in Christ, so that we may be used to bring others into the Kingdom.
Hi Beauty & Health Editor,
ReplyDeleteWhat you say is true. Such filters are already in place and have been for some time. I couldn't say if the Internet has ever truly been an open medium.
Clearly I am still posting on the Internet and will continue to do so as long as God leads me too. However, this message was as much for me as for anyone else (as most of these articles tend to be).
Jesus didn't just deal with us from a distance. He came down from Heaven and dwelled among men. He walked, ate, drank, and talked with men. He literally walked in man's shoes, sharing mankind's plights and joys. He wiped tears, comforted the downtrodden, healed the sick... Sometimes it was messy, sometimes it was burdensome, sometimes He was persecuted and mocked, sometimes He spent so much of Himself that he had got no rest because of the multitude. One thing for sure, preaching the Gospel is never "sanitized" as it is on the Internet.
I think it is a good thing for God to allow increased censoring of this medium for such can only surely work to make folks stronger in the Lord and more prepared to do His work.
Anonymous Part 1
ReplyDeleteHi Latter Days, thanks for responding to the points in my earlier post. You’re absolutely right in summing up that being a believer in Christ is about doing the works of the ministry, preaching the Gospel to the lost, and not falling into a false sense of security by thinking that participating in a virtual world means we are prepared for dealing with people in the real world. However, what if a person is housebound but uses the internet as a means to win lost souls? Does this mean their virtual experiences of discipleship are invalid?
Anonymous Part 2
Using the example of your FB friend, are you assuming that every Christian must be convicted in the same way? “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.” (Romans 12:6). What if God has given a person the ability to write well and they use this gift with as much faith as God has given them in a virtual world. Should they negate that gift and pursue one He has not given them instead?
I’m not being dismissive of your arguments as they are more than valid. However, I don’t wish to take away the fact that ministering, discipleship and winning lost souls can occur in a variety of ways and even circumstances. And yes, a person might be bold enough to type away on their computer keyboard but meek as a mouse in a real life situation. However, the same could be said for a naturally shy or quiet Christian who feels comfortable speaking to their fellow Christians from his/her church or growth group, but uncomfortable or reserved around strangers. Does this mean they are less of a Christian than the one who is more vociferous?
In sum, the true realization of what we are called to do in Christ is recognising our differing gifts, so that we may use them to bring others into the Kingdom and glorify God in the process.
Hello Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI'll put it this way. When Jesus gave the disciples the commission to preach the Gospel, He didn't say, "Now sit in Jerusalem and write letters."
There was a need for them to "Go". There was a need for them to be "sent". So distant, virtual communication can only go so far.
Again, no one is saying there's no value to written communication. That is the sole of what I am doing on this blog afterall. However, that doesn't change the fact that preaching to the lost is described by God as something primarily done on a much more personal level.
It is not our talents, gifts, or abilities that draw people into the Kingdom. In fact, I would say that the more front and center "we" are in the effort, the less effective our witness is.
When God sends us for any task, He is not relying on our abilities, but our being available for HIS ability. The more we are transformed into His image, the less we have to worry about what we feel we can do or what we are comfortable with. It will be (and must be) a work of His Spirit working through us, with us having no thought for ourselves. This can only happen if we have been prepared internally by God and girded up to stand. If we are not spending time now before God, redeeming the times and seeking His face, then we will buckle in the times of hardship.
There is no ministry "gift" of preaching. There is not even a ministerial office of "preacher". We are all called to be living witnesses of Christ and to proclaim the Good News. The point of this article is to get us thinking about exactly what that means and whether we are prepared to do just that.
Hi Anonymous et al: Everything that you are stating is true and we know that exceptions exist for members of the Body of Christ, but we are addressing the need for ground forces. Every war begins with a softening of the enemy by using air power (prayer) to weaken resistance, but you can not take and hold ground without ground troops. Signs, wonders and miracles come from personal interaction. "Naturally shy Christians" don't exist once the power of the Holy Ghost comes upon them. This war is won "not by might, nor by power", but by the Spirit of the Lord. Let's not get off topic by dealing with exceptions to what Mia wrote about in the first place. The spiritual/cultural warfare is in the public arena and God is launching the confrontational word of God to deal with these apparent delusions of religion, politics, education, economics, etc... Jesus said, "not to put your light under a bushel, but to expose it to the world". Again, we are not dismissing what you are saying, but pointing out that the subject we are addressing concerns those that should be stirred to action outside of the churches, not those who are limited to the internet because of situations outside of their control. Let's stay on topic so as not to excuse our corporate laziness.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR THAT MUCH NEEDED POST! I did not know what your reaction was going to be towards YouTube censoring your video, but when I realized that you were taking it as a sign that God wants us to engage in more personal interaction with the lost. I realized that the church really has moved from personal encounters to primarily the viral zone. God doesn't change and neither should we.
ReplyDeleteIt is really astounding how I will see people walking around with head phones in their ears or their face deeply buried into their cell phone/iphone/blackberry, etc. and they don't even notice the person standing next to them!
I think it's near time to unplug and become more sensitive and in-tune with hearing God's voice and looking at the people around us.
God Bless.
Hi Latter Days,
ReplyDeleteOur replies would go on from here to eternity if I continue posting comments to your replies. Therefore, I’ll make this my last one on this subject matter.
I am not saying we should sit on our behinds and write letters, nor am I saying we should sit on our behinds and preach the good news from a virtual setting. What I am saying is that we can proclaim the good news from a variety of mediums. We can be living witnesses online just as much as we can be living witnesses offline. Christians come with a wide range of abilities. A housebound Christian is no less able to preach the good news using the virtual world than an able bodied Christian articulating the good news in the real world.
I agree distant virtual communications can only go so far. Nevertheless, I would hate for a housebound Christian to believe that their method of preaching the good news is inferior to that of a Christian who is able to go and preach the good news to the outside world, face ridicule, be challenged and still be able to confess Christ boldly when faced with such direct and personal opposition. Conversely, this is not to say a housebound Christian cannot face the same ridicule or be challenged online, yet still be able to confess Christ boldly when faced with direct and potentially personal or confrontational opposition.
I understand that preaching to the lost is described by God as something primarily done on a much more personal level. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Romans 10:14-15).
I guess I am focusing on housebound Christians because this is an emotive area for me as are persecuted Christians. Therefore, I will continue to focus my reply on those who are housebound. With this in mind, say a Christian knocks on the door of a housebound person who is an unbeliever and gives them the good news. Say God’s word becomes a seed in their mind and they begin to receive regular visits from the outreach team of their local church. In time, they grow in God’s word and feel the need to share the good news. But hey, they’re housebound! Despite the internet being their only tool of choice, they use skype, facebook, twitter and other mediums to win lost souls.
Now... with regards to witnessing I will use the example of a chain as it is made up of many parts. You have the beginning of the chain, the end of the chain and the links in the middle. I agree it is certainly not our gifts or abilities that draws people into God’s kingdom. And I agree with your point that when God sends us for any task, He is not relying on our abilities, but our being available for HIS ability. “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” (1 Corinthians 1:27).The point I was trying to make in my earlier post, albeit rather unsuccessfully, is that God equips us for His glory in different ways. Not everyone has the ability to preach. Therefore, using my example of the chain again, some Christians will win souls from the back, others from the front, some from the middle...and some from an online virtual environment.... all to the glory of God.
Please don’t get me wrong. I understand the message of your article, pointing out that we are all called to be living witnesses of Christ and to proclaim the Good News. The point I am trying to make is that in the case of HOUSEBOUND Christians who are prepared to be a living witness, the virtual world is more often than not, their only port of call to be a living witness.
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteIf by "housebound" you mean Christians who cannot leave the home and never have personal contact with any other human beings, then that is beyond the scope of this article.
This article is specifically addressing the element of personal contact in preaching.
Preaching is not about ability. Every single Christian is called to be a proclaimer of the Gospel - which is all a preacher is. If someone feels as if they are not equipped to do this, then that would be a cause for some sincere soul-searching.
Now our gifts may affect our how we interact with others, but we are all called to preach the Kingdom.
I know I said I would not post another comment, but in light of the posting by Pastor G.Price, I feel I have to because my earlier reply would make no sense.
ReplyDeleteSo here goes...."Ding!" A light bulb has just gone off in my head thanks to further clarification on the initial post.
I totally agree with the ground force argument and understand the need for it. I guess the crux of my argument was to ensure the presence of marginal groups and the mediums available to them was not sidelined in the area of winning lost souls.
Thanks Latter Days and Pastor G Price for responding to my posts with encouraging as well as "food for thought" clarification.
Whew! Well then, thank God for Pastor Price in helping to clarify what I was obviously failing miserably at! LOL By the way, you are free to post on the blog as you are led.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your posts.
Latter Days, NO, you did not fail miserably in your post!!! What I believed I had grasped, I hadn't grasped at all! Pastor Price merely
ReplyDeleteenriched your message. To use the analogy... Pastor Price's input was kinda like me adding a little more
sugar in my tea to make it taste better.
Well, it wouldn't be the first time I expressed something which led to confusion. :-) Just goes to show how helpful it is to be part of a Body, so that others can also add context.
ReplyDeleteI reread the article and can now see with your explanation what caused concern. I spend a lot of time referencing us "going" and God "sending". I use those not to illustrate that we have to physically leave home per se, but to show that preaching is about being available directly to people in need.
Thank you all for your feedback. That was a doozy!
Could this be a sign it's time to host your own site *hint* *hint* :). Lol, by hosting your own site you can also host your own videos.
ReplyDeleteI only saw the video in question once and it was definitely on point. My only regret is not sharing it with others. By it being taken down it only proves how powerful God's message is.
This whole dialogue illustrates to me that the Body of Christ is finally coming together on one accord. I LOVE THIS!!!!! In this whole discourse the views were heard and discussed I believe in a spirit of love which is the most important thing. Noone had to be right, but we were searching for a righteous answer while respecting everyone's point of view. I don't want to "NEED" to be right, but I love to share with those of a like precious faith. Anonymous I don't know you, but you can fight on my team anytime, you have a good spirit and a compassionate heart. Let's take the battle to the street and whip some devil butt!! All we need is for the Lord to pour out supernatural anointing power and "power to get wealth to establish His covenant" Deut. 8:18. I love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful post. Truly inspirational. We can only do so much by the Internet and other technology innovations. The real work lies in the fields out there amongst our fellow beings. Couldn't agree more with you about loneliness and persecution falling to the lot of those who stand for the truth.
ReplyDelete